The History of Meditation

Meditation is a method of self-reflection where one observes objectively, taking oneself out of subjective perspectives and immersing oneself in their inner self. Meditation is used to purify the mind, reduce stress, promote rest, and train the mind. Meditation techniques include repeating mantras in a quiet environment or observing one’s breath. It is said to have been practiced for about 5000 years. Initially, it mainly referred to the practices of Hinduism or Buddhism that originated in India, but as time passed, its meaning gradually expanded to encompass the specialized spiritual practices of various religions. Following the nineteenth century and with the rise of counter-cultural and New Age movements due to events such as the World Wars, Westerners began to take an interest in Eastern philosophy. As a result, meditation gradually became popularized and spread from Asia to Western cultures.